Blog Tweaks

I discovered (after removing various "gadgets" from my page) that it wasn't what I thought slowing down my page -- it was the "Be Cool -- Subscribe" gadget that had embedded drop-down list for you to add my blog's RSS feed to the reader of your choice. Take that away and -- voila! -- it loads fast again. Just because it's gone doesn't mean that you shouldn't subscribe, though... put that free Reader to use and get automatically updated when I add a post.

So, I've been exploring the draft.blogger.com website and expirementing with different gadgets that are available in this beta version of Google's Blogger. I found some really cool things, but I decided that they made my page load too slowly. I may add them back if I can figure out how to streamline the loading a little bit. Here's an interesting one, though:

CQ Politics: Political Toolkit
It pulls from their website links to information like: an election map for 2008 for every district and state; poll tracker; CQ primary guide; "Races to Watch" -- House, Senate, Governor.

Not sure why I didn't know about this website before... but the tool was cool, but (seemed) slow (to me). Check it out, you political junkies...

My Life As a Soundtrack...

Poor writing/rhetoric aside, I'm starting this post with an apology: I have not played the game of tag in a long time. Also, I usually ignore/despise the silly games friends play on friends' blogs. But, since Jill tagged me -- and, apparently, I have nothing better to do right now? ;-) -- I will go ahead and give this a shot.

The premise is to use songs/song titles to provide music for your life, as if it were a movie. For those of you who know me well, my typical music listening comprises various classical works, "smart" podcasts, Billy Joel, James Taylor, and then an eclectic range of "other stuff." This should be interesting...
***and took me long enough.... it's not perfect, but it's interesting***

Opening Credits: "Stray Cat Strut," Stray Cats

Waking Up: "Here Comes the Sun," The Beatles -AND- "It's the Nine," Charley Jenkins

First Day At School: "I'm No Fool," Disney

Falling In Love: "What a Wonderful World," Louis Armstrong -AND- "She's Got a Way," Billy Joel ("live") -AND- "Just What I Need," Rufus King

Fight Song: "Etudes, Op. 10, No. 4, Ut Diese Mineur," Chopin (it's not the name, it's the music, that made me pick this one)

Breaking Up: "Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)," Billy Joel

Prom: "All She Wants To Do Is Dance," Don Henley -OR- "Que Bueno Baila Usted," Ibrahim Ferrer

Life's OK: "Banana Pancakes," Jack Johnson

Mental Breakdown: "Enter Sandman," Metallica

Driving: "Piano Man," Billy Joel (you know what I'm talking about...)

Flashback: "It's All Coming Back to Me Now," Celine Dion

Getting Back Together: "Kissin' on the Beach," Earl Klugh

Wedding: "From This Moment On," Shania Twain & Bryan White -AND- "Underneath Your Clothes," Shakira

Birth of Child: [can't decide yet]

Final Battle: "1812 Overture," Tchaikovsky -OR- "Into the Fire," The Scarlet Pimpernel

Death Scene: "Another One Bites the Dust," Queen

Funeral Song: "Ol' Man River," Ray Charles

End Credits: "Bye, Bye, Bye," N'Sync (be sure to stay for the blooper reel!)

What's wrong with this picture?

This is from a recent Absolut vodka ad that came out around March of this year (2008).

If you go HERE, you can read what some other people have had to say about the ad.

But, what do you think?

How to Start Your Own country

Courtesy of Joshua Keating at Foreign Policy, check out here how to become your own country. Rock on!

Look at someone who has tried, by occupying an artificial island off the coast of the UK since the 1960s.

Gmail: Custom time!

Forgot to send your homework into your teacher on time? That project for your boss that you promised would be in "by 5pm on Friday?" Forgot to send a note for a birthday or anniversary?

Never fear -- Google Custom Time is here!

Here's a snapshot of what Google has to say about it:

How do I use it?
Just click "Set custom time" from the Compose view. Any email you send to the past appears in the proper chronological order in your recipient's inbox. You can opt for it to show up read or unread by selecting the appropriate option.

Is there a limit to how far back I can send email?
Yes. You'll only be able to send email back until April 1, 2004, the day we launched Gmail. If we were to let you send an email from Gmail before Gmail existed, well, that would be like hanging out with your parents before you were born -- crazy talk.

How does it work?
Gmail utilizes an e-flux capacitor to resolve issues of causality (see Grandfather Paradox).

With judicious use of your ten (10) custom time emails per year, never be late with an email again!